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Since Bush, we've treated the taxpayer funds as unlimited, with the debt ceiling being a minor problem that congress just raises every once in awhile. The trut

Since Bush, we've treated the taxpayer funds as unlimited, with the debt ceiling being a minor problem that congress just raises every once in awhile. The truth is we need to drastically shrink the size of the federal government. Its unbelievably inefficient.

FloorEgg 12d ago
Didn't the American Republicans just run and win on exactly that premise and then largely fail to follow through?
iAMkenough 12d ago
> The truth is we need to drastically shrink the size of the federal government. The GOP and DOGE tried that and the national debt has since skyrocketed due to corruption and illegal wars. So much for those $5,000 DOGE Dividend checks Elon and Trump were discussing. Smaller federal government doesn't mean a less corrupt government, just a less useful government to the average American struggling to make ends meet.
Sabinus 12d ago
Or you could just not spend any more and increase taxes.
- s1artibartfast 12d ago
  Taxes are already pretty massive; there is only so much you can take without consequences. US taxes (state, federal, and local) are approaching 30 cents on every dollar, and that is with the Fed spending ~135% of revenues each year. You might point out that many Europeans have higher taxes, and they do. However, they also have healthcare and generous national pensions. Americans have to pay for those after taxes. This makes it hard to freeze services and raise taxes. The US has to get more efficient.
xorcist 12d ago
When the map disagrees with reality, keep following the map? Government tightening policy has always lead to spending being moved around, and combined with tax cuts that makes for larger deficits. Every single time. What needs to be more efficient is the health insurance system. Pretty much any other civilized country could be looked at for inspiration. Then the military. Taxes needs to at least be kept intact and fiscal policy needs to improve. The sad fact is that the political system makes the easy solution impossible. We know that after half a century. The open question is what the possible avenues are.

FloorEgg 12d ago

Didn't the American Republicans just run and win on exactly that premise and then largely fail to follow through?

iAMkenough 12d ago

> The truth is we need to drastically shrink the size of the federal government. The GOP and DOGE tried that and the national debt has since skyrocketed due to corruption and illegal wars. So much for those $5,000 DOGE Dividend checks Elon and Trump were discussing. Smaller federal government doesn't mean a less corrupt government, just a less useful government to the average American struggling to make ends meet.

Sabinus 12d ago

Or you could just not spend any more and increase taxes.

s1artibartfast 12d ago
Taxes are already pretty massive; there is only so much you can take without consequences. US taxes (state, federal, and local) are approaching 30 cents on every dollar, and that is with the Fed spending ~135% of revenues each year. You might point out that many Europeans have higher taxes, and they do. However, they also have healthcare and generous national pensions. Americans have to pay for those after taxes. This makes it hard to freeze services and raise taxes. The US has to get more efficient.

xorcist 12d ago

When the map disagrees with reality, keep following the map? Government tightening policy has always lead to spending being moved around, and combined with tax cuts that makes for larger deficits. Every single time. What needs to be more efficient is the health insurance system. Pretty much any other civilized country could be looked at for inspiration. Then the military. Taxes needs to at least be kept intact and fiscal policy needs to improve. The sad fact is that the political system makes the easy solution impossible. We know that after half a century. The open question is what the possible avenues are.